Mop-head.



-F. W. PENDERGASTq MOP HEAD. APPLICATION FILED MAY 8, 1909.

Patented Jan. 12, 19.09.

lnvenio 7':

entrain stares FREDERICK W. PENDEBGAST, OF CAMBRLLDGE, MASSAGHUSETTS.

MOP-EE All).

Specification of Letters iPatent.

.Patented 5m. 12, 19%)..

a plication filed Ma a, 1908. Seriallto. 421mm To all whom 'it mayconcern: Be it known that I, FREDERICK W. nnnoasr, of Cambridge, in thecounty of Middlesox and State of Massachusetts, have invented certainnew and useful Improvements in Mop-Heads, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to a mop head comprising opposed jaws adapted tograsp a mop interposed between them, and provided with means forengagement with a cylindrical rod or handle and with means for adjustingthe jaws to cause them to grasp and release the mop.

The invention has for its object to pro vide a simple, durable, andrelatively inexpensive mop head, the parts of which ar reduced to aminimum, and in which the jaws are capable of being automaticallyadjusted to variations between the thickness of the edge portions of theinterposed mop. 'The invention consists in the improvements which I willnow proceed to describe and claim.

Of the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a side elevation of amop head embodying my invention, and a portion of the handle to whichthe head is attached. Fig; 2 representsan end view of the same. Fig. 3represents a section on line 33 of Fig. 1. Fig. 1 represents a sectionon line 4e4l of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 represents a section on line 55 ofFig. 1. v

The same letters of reference indicate the same parts in all thefigures.

My improved mop head is composed of two elongated jaws 12 12, eachhaving a shank 13, each jaw and its shank forming a T-shaped piece andbeing preferably formed .as a single casting. The end portions of thejaws, which project from opposite edges of the shanks, are preferablyU-sha'ped .in cross section as shown in Fig. 5, each jaw having twonarrow biting or grasping edges 14. Each jaw is preferably provided withtwo end spursl5 and an intermediate central spur 16, these spurs beingadapted to indent a mop inserted between the jaws. The inner sides ofthe shanks 13 are concave in cross-section, and are adapted to bear uponand conform to opposite sides of a cylindrical'handle 17. The shank ofone of the jaws is provided with an aperture 18,which 1s preferablyelongated crosswise of the shank, the outer surface of this shank beingconvex in cross section. The elongation of the aperture 18 and theconvex form of the outer side of the :apertured shank are importantfeatures of my invention as hereafter stated. For the sake of symmetryand lightness, I prefer to make the outer surface of the other shankconvex as shown in Fig. 1. The sh'ank,swhich is not providedwith anaperture, is provided with a bolt 19 adapted to pass through the handle17 and the aperture 18 in the other shank, the outer end portion of thebolt being threaded and provided with a clamping thumb nut 20 which isadapted to bear upon the apertured shank.

The nut 20 being loosened, the jaws are permitted to separatesufliciently to receive a mop cloth or fabric between them. After themop has been inserted between the jaws, the nut 20 is screwed down uponthe bolt and causes the jaws to exert aclamping pressure upon the mop.The elongation of the aperture 18 and the convex form of the outer sideof the shank in which said aperture is formed, permits said shank toslip laterally upon the handle and enables the accompanying jaw toassume different angles relative to the opposite jaw, as indicated byfull and dotted lines in F 2. Provision is thus made for compensatingfor variations in the thickness of the mop the jaws being enabled tobear with equal pressure upon a mop which is thicker at one edge than atthe other. Another advantage of the elongated aperture or slot 18 is thefact that said elongation compensates for any variation of the bolt holein the handle from a true central position, it being difiicult to bore anumber of handles with the bolt hole of each in an exactly centralposition.

The formation of the bolt on the shank which carries it, is an advantagebecause said formation reduces the number of parts and the expense ofconstruction to the minimum, and leaves the outer side of the, shanksmooth and free from a projecting bolt head which might catch the mop orbe. otherwise objectionable. The shank on which thebolt is formedconstitutes a bolt head having a smooth external surface conforming tothe portion of the handle on which said shank bears, as shown in Fig.4:.

I claim:

1. A mop head composed of two opposed other shank has a bolt formedintegral therewith and adapted to pass through the handle and throughsaid aperture, and a clamping nut engaged with the outer portion of saidbolt and adapted to bear on the apertured shank, the shank on which thebolt is formed constituting a head for said bolt which presents a smoothexternal surface conforming to the handle.

2. A mop'head composed of two opposed jaws having shanks adapted to bearon op: posite sides of a cylindrical handle, one of said shanks beinginternally concave and externally convex in cross section and providedwith an aperture which is elongated crosswise of the shank, the othershank having a bolt adapted to pass through the handle and through saidaperture, and a clamping nut engaged with the outer portion of saidbolt, the elongation of the aperture permitting the apertured shank toslip laterally on the handle whereby the jaws are adapted to conform toinequalities in the thickness of a mop interposed between the aws.

J In testimony whereof I have affixed'my signature, in presence of twowitnesses.

hlS FREDERICK X W. PENDERGAST.

mark Witnesses:

C. F. BROWN, JAS. H..'CHUR0H1LL.

